Is the Avalon dead? Long live the Crown

There was an article that stated TMNA registered the "Crown" name in the US

Toyota Trademarks "Crown" Name In U.S.—What Does It Mean?


Then on bestcarweb Japan, it says there are rumours that the next generation Crown will change from RWD to FWD

FRと決別か!?　新型クラウンはいったいどうなる？｜ベストカー6月26日号 - 自動車情報誌「ベストカー」


So that leads me to believe that Toyota may simplify the lineup and simply import the Crown back to the US.


But the Crown is much more luxurious than the Avalon and since the Camry's wheelbase was stretched to the same length as the Avalon, making it a Crown could help differentiate the full size car from the Camry by making it much more luxurious. It still won't step into the ES' toes since it's still labelled as a Toyota but it will need to find a way to get buyers to shell out for a Crown rather than an ES.

On the other hand, there's this article.

Toyota Crown SUV Reportedly Planned Because Nothing Is Sacred Anymore

So... it could be we'll get another SUV.